In 't Spinnekopke

In 't Spinnekopke is a traditional Belgian bistro at Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1, in the Sainte-Catherine quarter of Brussels, Belgium. It occupies a coaching house dating from 1762 and presents itself as a restaurant of beer cuisine: Belgian beers, including lambic and gueuze, are used in the cooking as well as served alongside it. There is no Michelin context; the appeal is the combination of historic setting, honest regional cooking and an unusually thoughtful beer programme.

The signature dishes include lapin à la gueuze, rabbit braised in the sour lambic-based beer; carbonade flamande, the beef and beer stew that is the national classic; and stoemp with sausage, a mash of potato and vegetables. Menu items often note a suggested beer pairing, and the staff can guide diners through the range, from light blondes to sour and dark styles. Mains cost roughly €20-30, so it sits in the middle of the Brussels price range.

The dining room is old, wood-framed and convivial, with a busy, traditional atmosphere rather than a formal one. There is no dress code. Noise rises when the room fills, particularly at dinner, but the mood is warm and relaxed, and the restaurant suits couples, small groups and visitors who want to try regional cooking in a historic setting.

The beverage programme is the highlight. Beer is treated like wine in many restaurants, with a long list of Belgian bottles and draughts, and cooking with beer is a defining feature of the kitchen. Visitors curious about gueuze and lambic find it an accessible place to try them.

Reservations are recommended for dinner, since the room fills in the evening and the restaurant is well known. Booking a few days ahead is sensible, and further ahead for Friday and Saturday. Lunch and dinner are served most days, with weekend lunch closed. The location, close to the Place Sainte-Catherine and the former fish-market quays, makes it easy to include in a walk through the old city centre.